Public libraries thrive due to donations and fundraisers made possible by groups like the Friends of Barton Library.
The organization’s book sale benefit, which is held in the fall and the spring, is set to begin Monday with the Friends’ members-only shop.
Throughout, the rest of the week it will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each weekday and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Barton Library.
Friends president Joan Murphree said the sale will go on each day regardless of weather.
“It will be outside under cover by the back door so [there will be] shopping rain or shine,” Murphree said.
The fundraiser is a major one for the Friends and helps the organization accrue cash to put towards special projects at Barton Library.
“All of the funds raised go to projects for the library. Last year’s money was used to purchase the new tables in the children’s library. The book sale is the primary fundraiser for Friends of Barton Library [along with] dues and donations,” Murphree said.
The sale consists of both books and magazines donated by the public and the Union County Public Library System, and a wide range of books are available.
“Every type of genre is represented: fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, mystery, how-to and even young adult and children’s books,” Murphree said.
Hardback books will be $1, paperbacks 50 cents and magazines 10 cents. On Saturday, the final day of the sale, shoppers will be able to fill a box with books for $5.
Murphree added that the Saturday sale will also have Kernel Mustard’s Hot Dog Stand on-hand for hungry book lovers.
Monday’s Freinds members-only sale, which kicks off the week-long event, is just one benefit of joining the nonprofit organization according to Murphree.
“One of the perks of being a Friend is they get first choice at the book sale. Dues are $5.00 [per] year and families are $10 [per] year. In a year without a pandemic, we have meetings and local authors,”Murphree said.
UCPLS executive director Michael O’ Connell praised the efforts of the Friends and encouraged readers to check out the sale.
“The library is grateful for the support of the Friends and appreciates all of the hard work they do to make the book sale successful. People should take advantage of this opportunity to build their personal collections and try new authors,” he said.